Eye Protection Is Non-Negotiable
Rock fragments fly at high velocity when struck with a hammer. Wraparound ANSI Z87-rated safety glasses protect from the front and sides. Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant. Wear them every time you swing a hammer — no exceptions.
Never Enter Abandoned Mines
Abandoned mine shafts have unstable timbers, oxygen-depleted air, toxic gases, and vertical shafts that aren't always visible. The US has over 500,000 abandoned mines; hundreds of people die or require rescue in them each year. Surface collecting outside mine entrances is always safer.
Desert Rockhounding Hazards
Dehydration can kill faster than most hazards. Bring 1 liter of water per hour in hot weather. Start early, get off exposed ground by 11am in summer. Cell service is often nonexistent in the best collecting areas — download offline maps and file a trip plan with someone who knows where you're going.
Wildlife Awareness
Rattlesnakes are the primary concern in western rockhounding territory. Never put your hands where you can't see — use a rock hammer to flip stones. Watch where you step. In bear country (Montana, Idaho, Colorado), carry bear spray. Scorpions hide under rocks you're trying to collect from.
Hand and Foot Safety
Heavy rocks dropped on feet are a leading injury. Wear steel-toed boots on serious digs. Leather gloves protect from abrasion and sharp edges. Keep a basic first aid kit in your pack: antiseptic wipes, bandages, tweezers (for cactus spines), and blister treatment.